Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 1, 1975
• Invested on: February 16, 1976

Robert Anthony MacLellan, M.B., Malignant Cove, N.S.
Medal of Bravery

Thirteen-year-old Robert MacLellan saved his uncle from drowning at Malignant Cove on September 16, 1974. Robert's uncle and another man capsized their boat when hauling out lobster traps, some 200 yards offshore. In the excitement, one man, who could not swim, was drowned while Robert's uncle swam to a plank and attempted to return ashore. The accident was witnessed by Robert who quickly raced home to telephone for help and then entered the water with a rubber dinghy. Held afloat by the deflating craft, the youth swam some one-hundred yards against a strong current and blowing wind. When he had succeeded in reaching his uncle, Robert supported him above water, and by this time, other local residents were launching an old rowboat to their rescue. Several minutes later, when the craft had reached them, Robert and the man gripped either side of it and were then towed ashore.